PO boxes are not always the best choice if you are registering an LLC or corporation. PO boxes are also not the most convenient mail solution if you work and travel remotely. As an alternative you might want to consider a virtual mailbox. To learn more you can read The Ultimate Guide to a Virtual Mailbox.

Step 1. Pick a PO Box Location and Size

Before you get a PO Box, you need to decide where you want your PO Box to be located and how big you want your mailbox to be based on your expected monthly mail deliveries.

PO Box Location

Selecting your PO Box location should be your primary consideration when you rent a PO Box. All postal boxes reside on the premise of a post office. Most people prefer a postal box close to their home or work for convenience.

Can I get a PO Box in another state? Yes, you can also get a PO Box in another city if you prefer the city name (eg. New York) over convenience. To look for a PO Box location in another city you can learn more on the USPS website.

Overall, to find the best PO Box location you should consider the amount of mail and packages you expect to receive on a weekly and monthly basis as well as how often you willing to travel to pick up your mail and packages.

X Large size 5 - 22.5" x 12" - This is the largest option for Flat Rate Boxes and parcels.

Picking the right size really depends on how much mail you get, what type of mail you receive, and how often you pick up your mail. Based on some statistics plus extra padding, we estimate that a typical mailbox receives less than 6 pieces of mail per week.

How much is a PO box?

PO Box prices are all different depending on the location and the size. If you're looking for a postal box in an area that has less demand for the box, you will pay less. You can checkPO Box pricing and availabilityonline at USPS.

The minimum rental period for a PO Box is 3 months; however, you can pay for a PO Box rental for up to a year. If you decide to cancel your PO Box before the rental period is up, you can get a refund back for the remaining unused period in 3 month increments. For example, if you rent a PO Box for 6 months and you cancel your mailbox during month 2, you will get a refund for the last 3 months.

General Guidelines For Picking a PO Box Size

Most small size postal boxes are sufficient for personal or business mail that you pick up once a week.

If you subscribe to more than one periodical (eg. magazines, newspapers), a medium size PO Box is likely a better choice.

If you pick up mail once a month, a medium-large box is a good choice.

You can always get a small postal box and then upgrade to a larger one. However, USPS does not like your mailbox to overflow. If your mailbox overflows frequently, they will ask you to move to a larger box. The hassle of moving to a new box is not worth it.

Takeaway advice - you can't go wrong with a medium sized PO Box.

Step 2. Get a PO Box

Once you decide on a location and size, you are ready to get a PO Box. There are two options to get a PO Box. You can either reserve a PO Box online or go to the post office in person.

Both ways require that you fill out a Form 1583 and present two forms of IDs, one of which must have a photograph of yourself. We have a more in-depth article you can read onwhat Form 1583 is for and why it's required.

We cover what you will need to open a PO Box online and in person below.

How To Get A PO Box Online

Bring two form of ID and Form 1583 with you to the post office where your postal box is located.

Get the keys for your PO Box.

How To Get a PO Box In Person

Bring two forms of ID with you.

Go to the post office where you want your PO Box located. Save yourself a trip and go online first to check if the size of the PO Box you want is available.

Get a PO Box rental form (essentially a variation of Form 1583) at the counter. Fill it out.

Turn it in at the counter and get your keys to your PO Box.

Step 3. Redirect Your Mail

Once you have your PO Box, the next step is to redirect your mail and packages to this new PO Box. You can either fill out aChange of Address Form onlineor pick one up at any post office. Fill it out and submit it. Your mail will then be forwarded to your new address for up to 1 year for First Class Mail.

PO Box Address Format

A PO Box address format is fairly specific and is always in the form of:

Your Name PO BOX <your box number> City, State Zipcode

Fun Fact - The last 4 digits appended to the end of the 5-digit Zipcode+4 code

Example: 90000-1234, is usually the same as your box number.

Do You Want to Know How Our Virtual Mailbox Works?

PO boxes are not always the best choice under certain circumstances. As an alternative you might want to considerVirtualPostMailfor more sophisticated uses and needs and make life easier with anonline postal mailbox.

VirtualPostMail provides you with a street address to receive postal mail. The unopened envelopes are scanned so you can view your mail online at your convenience. Then, you decide whether to have the mail opened and scanned, mail forwarded, or destroyed. Managing your postal mail online is so easy; you’ll never want to handle mail the traditional way again.

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We own our locations you’ll never have to worry about changing your address or it shutting down, in which you'll have to find a new address. Additionally, we have more control over how things are run, which mitigates the risk of theft, loss, and damages for you. We have fast processing times and are the only virtual mailbox service to offer registered agent services at all our locations. Read more.